Budget AR-15 builds with pics and prices.

One on the right. Lower was 70 upper was 60. Lpk was 65 stock 50 and grip 25 from Walmart barrel is a RR take off I got local for 50 hand guard was 65 off eBay claymore brake was 65 off eBay spikes bolt carrier group was 100 off eBay buffer tube set was 50 off eBay flip ups were 75 off eBay.
One on left was a black Friday rifle. Got for 515 out the door
Break was 25 off eBay grip 25 at Walmart hand guard was 65 off eBay front sight was 45 off eBay

This is sticky is at the top of this forum. Covers your questions many times over. Unless you just want to start a new thread with your name on it

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=736364

Option 1 to buy a KISS kit:
http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...its/psa-14-7-chf-mid-a2-pinned-rifle-kit.html

Option 2 to buy a high end lower build kit and an upper with BCG:
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/17263/category/388/
+
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...HT-KeyMod-KMR15-p/bcm-urg-mid-16elw-kmr15.htm
(free bolt carrier AND decent flash hider!)

I prefer their 14.5 pinned uppers with 13"keymod and FWS556 flash comp, but that upper is about as good as it gets under your budget.

You'll have to find a stripped lower locally. Just let us know who you settle on before buying. If it's Blackthorne parts, we'll have to hurt you.

I know this is going to open a can of worms most likely but how does the low priced upper build compare with the M&P Sport rifle that sells for a really good price? I don't want to cheap out but from what I understand the S&W build is a decent rifle for not a lot of money and has the backing of a company that's been around a long time.

I'm gathering together money now and looking for the best deal to get my first AR. I don't need the best. I just need good and I need a good price. I've seen quite a few models have problems at the range so i really hope to avoid that situation and from what I hear the S&W manages to avoid those problems at a really good price. That's the direction I've been looking to go but it isn't a done deal yet. I've also been looking at the kits at Palmetto. So many options, so little money. Nah I will get the money but I want the best I can get for what I spend.

I've built several basic ARs with all Anderson parts for $475 without sights/optic.

yes, the m and p sport is good bang for the buck. great entry level ar. don't get hung up on the no dust cover and forward assist shtick that so many cry about. lots of choices, google is your friend, start reading.

The M&P 15's I've seen, all had dust covers. I wouldn't hesitate to test one if they had one with the feature I want.

don't get hung up on the no dust cover and forward assist

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Neither of those things seem all that important for a civilian AR. If I was in combat I might care that I couldn't give a round a big push into the chamber but most of the time I would just as soon kick out a sticking shell. Jamming a sticking round in is asking for trouble IMO. The dust cover is important if you live in a desert I guess. I don't get many dust storms here in Ohio.

The M&P 15's I've seen, all had dust covers.

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It's the M&P Sport that lacks the dust cover. It's a cheaper version than what you've seen most likely. The Sport has all the features I want. They come with a good 30 round mag and all the essentials AFAIK. Plus they are made and backed by S&W. I guess they aren't the best but I've seen lots of fly by night AR companies that were much worse. S&W is supposed to be fairly good I believe.

I was going to do a build for my first AR, but instead I bought an M&P Sport... Had a good reputation for reliability, so I went that route. Just hit 1k rounds, no failures. Good staking on gas key and castle nut, great fit/finish, decent trigger, M4 feed ramps, individually-MPI and batch-HPT bolt, chrome-lined BCG, Melonite-lined barrel, F-Marked FSB and originally came with a Magpul MBUS rear... I have no complaints, given the $560 I paid. I couldn't care less about having a dust cover or forward assist.

Added the grip for $15, comp for $75, BCM extended charging handle for $45, and I saw the rail on sale at Midway, and also had a good amount of Midway Money, so that cost me all of $80, and also free-floated the barrel while offering a much more ergonomic setup...

Already had the foregrip, stock, and sling, and got the LaRue rear sight as a gift, so I've got about $775 in the whole thing (Aimpoint and WML don't count as part of the cost). Again, no complaints whatsoever.

My early Sport has been flawless after 5 years. I'm considering selling for a bolt 223 however.

Do you want suggestions for setups, or specific parts for a certain setup?

bought complete parts kit from rock river arms.

back to the m and p sport. mine has over 7500 rounds at this point, not one issue, all shooting was in the desert. cleaned after each shooting session, flawless firearm that is completely as delivered out of the box.

From FatBoyTactical.com
JSE complete upper w/quad rail rifle kit $429 shipped
Anderson stripped lower $49 shipped
Magpul handguard (already had the grip and stock) $35 bought locally
Transfer fee for the lower $15
Total: $528

Didn't use the grip/stock/handguard that came with the kit. And had the rear sight sitting around for a couple years.

Since you're willing to spend $800;

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1STR5035MLS&name=Spikes+Tactical+5.56%2f.223+16%22+Midlength+Rifle+(No+Magazine)&groupid=11

straight up M4 ish carbine.

Easter sale, build kit from PSA for $419, complete upper and lower parts minus stripped lower.

Lower on sale for $49

Done.

works good enough, no worries.

No pics on my phone, but my budget AR specs:

ATI Omni poly complete lower: $90 gun show
DPMS Oracle upper with charging handle and BCG: $399 free shipping Joe Bob's online
Sights, used: $25 Armslist
Milsurp GI steel mags x7: $20 + ammo trade.

I took advantage of BCM's buy 16" upper, get BCG and muzzle device free.

BCM Carbine upper w/ BCM Large charging handle - $480 (already had a hand guard)
PSA stripped lower + FFL fee - $75
Amazon sourced carbine stock and LPK - $100
I had the Aimpoint from a few years ago.

I sort of wish I would have invested in a better LPK. The trigger is sorry and the pins have been trying to walk away. But other than that I like it. I just need to find a good two-point sling and maybe a light and call it good.

Anderson Lower: $50
Bushmaster LPK: $60
ALG Combat Trigger: $65
JP Enhanced Reliability Trigger Springs: $10
SAA NiB BCG: $100
BCM Mod 4 Charging Handle: $45
PSA Premium Mid-length Upper: $250
UTG Buttstock Kit: $45
Magpul MOE Stock: $40
Magpul MOE+ Grip: $20
Magpul MOE Handguard: $30
UTG Low Riser: $15
Leatherwood ART m600 Scope, bought used and abused for $20, applied a rattle-can paint job.

Total: $735

bscott29 said:

Just curious what you guys are building. Also best places to find parts. What are good venders other than PSA?

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I'm currently building an AR pistol and another carbine after that.

-Larue
-BCM
-Rainier arms
-MAS Defense
-Thordson
-PSA (sloooooooooooow shipping)
Are all good parts dealers.

DSA lower: $100 locally
PSA CTR lower build kit: $140 on sale
PSA Freedom stainless upper: $200 on sale
Ares NiB BCG: $79 on sale
UTG Pro 15" slim hand guard: $110 (eBay)
Charging handle: $10 (was ordered with DSA BCG that was used in another build)
MBUS sights: $70
AFG-2: $25
Phantom flash hider: $30
Bushnell TRS-25: $50 on sale
PSA shipping costs: ~$30

Total: $844



Ares 80% 7075-T6 billet lower: $65 shipped
PSA MOE LPK: $50 on sale
Luth-AR stock: $50 shipped
A2 rifle buffer, spring and tube: $35 shipped
PSA Freedom Dissipator MOE upper: $225 on sale
PSA Premium BCG: $90 on sale
Troy Medieval brake: $35 shipped on eBay
UTG 3.9" ITA sight: $40 on sale through Amazon
PSA Shipping costs: ~$30 again

Total: $615

Anderson stripped lower - $49
PSA lower build kit - $89
BCG w/Carpenter bolt - $69
PSA Freedom Phosphate 5.56 Upper - $199
UTG Rear Battle Sight - $28 (Amazon)

All free shipping...

Total = $434

Btw, PSA just had (has) stripped lowers for $49 shipped!

Check out my post on "AR-15 Parts Gun Completed" on the gunsmithing column, I believe the total was under $300.00.